Inline FabricationLoad DataWidenersRepackbox
Lee PrecisionMidSouth Shooters SupplyRotoMetals2Reloading Everything
Titan Reloading
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: What does COL mean?

  1. #1
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Deep South Texas
    Posts
    12,820

    What does COL mean?

    I see many,many posts where folks struggle and anguish over COL. From the context, I gather it has something to do with bullet seating depth, but more specific notion is unknown to me. I am wondering if I have missed something doing this so long without any COL issues. What is it?
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    winelover's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    North Central Arkansas
    Posts
    2,403
    Cartridge Overall Length

    Winelover

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master


    Larry Gibson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Lake Havasu City, Arizona
    Posts
    21,304
    COL =Cartridge Overall Length

    That refers to the overall length of a loaded cartridge.

    OAL = Over All Length

    Sometimes the same as COL but can also refer to bullet length or case length. Also can refer to over all length of a rifle, shotgun or handgun for legality reasons or portability.

    Larry Gibson

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Posts
    110
    So it is more important to have the correct COL than to match the crimping ring cast into the bullet by a casting mold or by a manufacturer?

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    KS
    Posts
    559
    COL=Cost of Living
    Sorry couldn't resist.
    NRA Life Member

  6. #6
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Akron, OH
    Posts
    811
    Quote Originally Posted by UtopiaTexasG19 View Post
    So it is more important to have the correct COL than to match the crimping ring cast into the bullet by a casting mold or by a manufacturer?
    If you are talking cast bullets for a revolver and high pressure, heavy recoiling loads, you want to crimp into the crimping groove. THe bullet should be designed so that doing so does not result in a COL that is too long for the cylinder and a bullet seating that compresses the majority of charge weights.

    If you are talking about auto pistols, then you do not crimp into a crimp groove. The max COL is your guide for what will fit into the magazine. Variances in bullet design, magazine and feed ramp design may make you have to adjust the COL down to ensure proper function of the pistol.

    COL is a guideline for the most part and some adjustments are often necessary to get proper function or desired accuracy. Adjustsments on the order of a few thousandths. Sometimes, though, you do need to go with a bigger adjustment to make things work. Care is needed then if you are seating deeper, as that will increase chamber pressure. That's a good reason to start at minimum and work up.

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Deep South Texas
    Posts
    12,820
    OK... OAL I undestand. Sometime it was changed to COL and I didn't get the memo.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy metweezer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Port St Lucie, Florida
    Posts
    195
    You might even run across COAL. Cartridge Over All Length.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master Rocky Raab's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    1,982
    In the context of this forum - Cleaning Out Leading.

    (Kidding. Cartridge Overall Length.)

  10. #10
    Moderator

    W.R.Buchanan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Ojai CA
    Posts
    9,872
    Or it could be "Cleaning out Liberals !" as in the context of 11/6/2012

    Randy
    "It's not how well you do what you know how to do,,,It's how well you do what you DON'T know how to do!"
    www.buchananprecisionmachine.com

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check